Chaves lays down the law

Ex-Rattler pitching coach Rafael Chaves is in his second season as the pitching coach of the Mariners. Day one is a good time to stress this:

From the get-go, getting in the zone
On first day of workouts, Mariners focus on throwing strikes

Rafael Chaves figures to give his pitchers plenty to think about in the coming weeks, but the second-year Mariners pitching coach said he plans on reiterating one word all spring.

"Relentless ... that's the word for our camp," Chaves said Thursday, the first day that the Mariners pitchers and catchers worked out at the Peoria Sports Complex. "... I want our pitchers to be relentless about throwing strikes. Relentless ... you'll hear that word a lot."

Relentless is also a mediocre movie with Judd Nelson, yes, Judd Nelson, as a serial killer.

Back to baseball...JJ Putz (WI '00), the Mariner closer is pointing to the success that new Mariner starter Jeff Weaver had as a member of the World Champion Cardinals in the 2006 post-season.

"You look at the playoffs with the Cardinals. ... Those guys like Weaver were coming in and going after guys," Putz said. "You could just see it in their faces. If you look at the Tigers, they didn't have that same fire. I think that's what Chavy is talking about."

The lack of aggressiveness in the strike zone was something Putz didn't have to concern himself with a year ago, as he walked just 13 batters in a career-high 78 1/3 innings.

It was more the starting staff that struggled with walks. Departed starter Gil Meche was second in the league in walks (84). Joel Pineiro, who is also gone, ranked 10th with 64.